Part of being human is to acknowledge and mark certain moments in life. Some of those moments will be occasions for celebration; others will be times of mourning or sadness.
Baptism is the sacrament of new life, by which we are incorporated into Christ, and are clothed with his risen life. If you would like to arrange for your baby or child to be baptised (Christened), or if you would like to be baptised yourself, please contact Mthr Alice.
Download our baptism leaflet for parents to learn more via the link below.
Confirmation is a sacrament, administered by the bishop, in which the candidate renews the vows made at baptism (if baptised as an infant), and receives the laying on of hands as the Holy Spirit is asked to confirm him/her in the faith. We share our annual Confirmation service with St Mary’s and St Thomas’s. Please contact Mthr Alice if you would like to find out more.
As human beings, we are made in God’s image, yet the reality is that we mar that image by doing wrong (sinning) against God and our neighbour. The Sacrament of Reconciliation allows the penitent to make their confession to God in the presence of a priest, and to receive God’s forgiveness (absolution). Some people like to make their confession regularly; others might do so at particular moments in their lives, or when a particularly grievous matter in on their conscience. Mthr Alice is available to hear confessions by appointment.
If you wish to get married in St John’s please contact Mthr Alice before making any other plans to ensure that you are entitled to be married here. If for some reason it is not possible to be married at St John’s, we’ll help you make alternative arrangements.
Sickness can be a time of great pain, anxiety and distress, not only for the person who is sick, but also their relatives and friends. A range of ministry is available to those who are sick, including our monthly Eucharist for Healing and Wholeness. For those whose illness is acute, a priest can be available for laying on of hands and anointing, likewise for the Last Rites when someone is close to death. Please be in touch with Mthr Alice if you would like to make an arrangement for somebody you know – if there is no answer on the telephone, and the enquiry is urgent, please make sure you leave a message with your name and contact number so that she can get back to you as soon as possible.
Funerals mark the end of a person’s life and are a time to celebrate and give thanks as well as mourn and comfort one another. Funerals can take place in the church, in a crematorium or cemetery chapel, or (rarely) at the graveside, and the parish priest is available to officiate wherever the funeral may be. If you would like to put arrangements in place for your own funeral please contact Mthr Alice who will be happy to discuss this with you. If you are the next-of-kin arranging a funeral, and you would like the funeral to be in church or conducted by a Church of England priest, please instruct your funeral director/undertaker to contact Mthr Alice on your behalf in the first instance.
Moving home can be a significant moment, as well as a time of stress and anxiety. Many people appreciate having their new home blessed. This is a short and simple rite, and, if desired, can involve the whole family! Again, please contact Mthr Alice to make arrangements.
